'I will not stop until I find her': Hamilton woman missing since December

Editor's note: This story has been updated with Matthew Saylor's correct last name.

A 23-year-old Hamilton woman has been missing since early December. Nearly seven months later, the search for her is still ongoing.

On Dec. 5, 2021, Kara Hyde left her mother's house on Grand Blvd. in Hamilton and never returned. It was the day after her mother, Lisa Hyde's, birthday.

“She had made me a birthday present and she was going to go get it, and that was the last I’ve seen of her," Lisa Hyde said.

According to her mother, Kara is 5-foot-6 and weighs about 100 pounds. She has multiple tattoos, including a skull and a snake on her right forearm and a girl crawling out of a well and the word "Steven" on her left forearm. On her left thigh, she also has tattoos of a garter belt and the word "loser" with the S crossed out and replaced with a V.

Search is over six months long and is wearing on family, volunteers

Hyde reported Kara missing to the Hamilton Police Department on Dec. 18, 2021, and has made many efforts to find her since then. 

Matthew Saylor, Kara's older brother, said the long search without any results has been hard on his family.

“It’s just a nightmare, it’s hard to believe that it’s even real," Saylor said. "As the time goes on, it gets realer and realer, but I just wish we could find some answers.”

Hyde, along with a group of volunteers, has searched Crawford Woods in Hamilton multiple times, not finding anything but a bag of her clothes in January. They have searched other wooded areas in Hamilton based on tips, but haven't found anything.

Hyde has organized several other events to aid in the search for Kara, including a "Honk for Kara" rally in which supporters held signs with her picture on the side of the road, a benefit to raise money for resources and a candlelight vigil.

All these efforts wouldn't be possible without the help from volunteers and supporters in the Find Kara Hyde Facebook group, Hyde said.

"They are keeping me going, because without them I would be alone in this, just me and the family," Hyde said, "and there’s no way we could have done the things that we’ve done and accomplished the things we’ve accomplished and be able to continue this campaign to bring her home without that group.” 

Mom still seeks help in her search

But as the search continues, Hyde said people are losing interest in helping.

“What [my mom] really needs and wants is just people to help," Saylor said.

Hamilton Police Detective Brian Wynn said the investigation into Kara's disappearance is still ongoing, and the department has been following up on several leads throughout the investigation.

“As it goes longer, it just means that we’re continuing to pursue it until we find something,” Wynn said. 

Was Kara Hyde a victim of foul play?

Kara's mom believes foul play was involved in her daughter's disappearance.

“I believe Kara met with foul play. A mother knows," she said. "I just need to find her so I can take care of her. I can live without not knowing what happened to her, but I can’t live without finding her. This is torture like no other."

Although Wynn has not found any evidence of foul play, he said it's a possibility.

Lisa Hyde also believes some people know what happened to Kara but don't want to speak up. Wynn echoed this statement. They both urged anyone who has information to submit a tip. Both the Hamilton Police Department and Cincinnati Crime Stoppers will accept anonymous tips regarding Kara's whereabouts.

“Anything that can be brought in, we’re looking into," Wynn said. "I’m hoping to keep [Kara] fresh in people’s minds, that way she’s not forgotten.” 

Family and police are offering rewards 

Kara's family is offering a $1,000 award for information, and the Hamilton Police Department is offering a $2,500 reward, for a total reward of $3,500.

“She was really close to me, and as an older brother, I feel like I’ve let her down a little bit by not being able to save her," Saylor said. "Her being missing now, it just breaks my heart.” 

Although it's not easy to stay hopeful, Lisa Hyde is determined to find her daughter.

“I love her and I miss her so much, and I’m going to find her," she said. "I will not stop until I find her.” 

Anyone with information regarding Kara's whereabouts should contact the Hamilton Police Department at 513-868-5811 or Cincinnati Crime Stoppers at 513-352-3040.